A new season brings a new look, new faces and new opportunities for the Pitt-Greensburg cross country program. 

With a young roster, new uniforms and a new home cross country course, Head Coach Jeremy Eshleman sees the 2026 season as an opportunity for the Bobcats to turn the page and continue building the program. The theme surrounding this year's group is fitting: "The Next Chapter." 

"The message for this team is 'the next chapter' for our program," Eshleman said. "We have a lot of new runners, new uniforms and a new cross country course. I want this team to be known as the team that took the next step to take this program to the next level. I believe we have the right pieces this season for this goal." 

With the season set to begin Sept. 4, those pieces are already starting to come together. 

Building the Foundation 

For a roster featuring plenty of new faces, the opening weeks of preseason are about more than logging miles. They're about establishing a foundation that can carry the Bobcats through the fall. 

"The first week of practices has gone well as we build our base and learn how this team will come together, as we are young this year with a lot of new members," Eshleman said. 

The early stages of a cross country season can be demanding, and Eshleman has emphasized patience as the Bobcats build toward their best performances later in the year. 

"Everyone needs to trust the process," Eshleman said. "The first few weeks of the season are always the hardest, but it will pay off, and they all will be proud to look back at their improvements at season's end." 

That long-term approach will be particularly important for a team balancing experienced returners with runners adjusting to collegiate cross country for the first time. 

Stronger With Every Stride 

While Pitt-Greensburg may be young, one of the team's biggest strengths has already emerged. 

"The team chemistry seems to be one of the best we've had here," Eshleman said. "Watching them support and encourage each other in practices and workouts has been great." 

That chemistry could prove valuable as the Bobcats navigate a schedule that stretches from early September into November. With teammates pushing one another through practices and races, Eshleman hopes the group's closeness translates into individual and team improvement throughout the season. 

The ultimate goal is for that progress to peak when it matters most. 

"I want all the members to grow as runners and become the best runner they each can be," Eshleman said. "We are training for them to achieve PRs and to run their best at the end of the season." 

Experience at the Front 

Although new runners will make up a significant part of this year's roster, the Bobcats have several experienced returners prepared to lead the way. 

On the men's side, Dave Brokaw returns after emerging as Pitt-Greensburg's top runner a season ago. Now entering his third season with the program, Brokaw will once again be counted on to set the pace while providing leadership to a young group. 

"Dave Brokaw on the men's side brings two years of experience and leadership," Eshleman said. "He had a breakout season last year, becoming our top runner and being team captain." 

On the women's side, Jocelyn Beilak enters her second cross country season after showing promise during her debut campaign. With a year of collegiate experience behind her, Eshleman believes Beilak is positioned to take another step forward. 

"I'm excited to see Jocelyn Beilak take the next leap in her second season in cross country," Eshleman said. "She showed a lot of promise last year, and now she has the experience to grow as a runner." 

Victoria Maher provides another veteran presence as she returns for her third season. Maher has earned the role of team captain and will be relied upon both for her leadership and her performances on race day. 

"She is a great leader for a young women's team and will make an impact in our scoring," Eshleman said. 

New Faces, Immediate Expectations 

Two newcomers could quickly find themselves near the front of the pack for Pitt-Greensburg. 

Freshman Edir Sid Mohand, a Penn-Trafford product, arrives with a 5K personal record comparable to Brokaw's. Eshleman expects Sid Mohand's presence to immediately strengthen the men's lineup while also giving the Bobcats' returning leader a training and racing partner capable of pushing him. 

"Right away, he's going to be improving our men's team," Eshleman said. "Edir and Dave should be able to work together and push each other to great results." 

On the women's side, Isabella Hicks has made an early impression. Her previous performances combined with what Eshleman has seen during preseason practices have put her in contention to lead the Bobcats. 

"Isabella Hicks has a PR and efforts early in practices show she's going to be fighting for our top spot on the women's team," Eshleman said. 

The combination of those newcomers with Pitt-Greensburg's returning core gives Eshleman reason to set ambitious expectations for both squads. 

Chasing the AMCC Podium 

The Bobcats aren't entering 2026 simply looking for improvement. They have a clear conference goal in mind. 

Eshleman wants both the men's and women's teams competing for a top-three finish in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. 

Everything leading up to the AMCC Championships on Oct. 31 will be about putting Pitt-Greensburg in position to accomplish that goal. 

The Bobcats open the season Sept. 4 at the Westmoreland County Community College Invitational before traveling to the Bethany Invitational on Sept. 12. Pitt-Greensburg closes September at the La Roche Invitational on Sept. 25. 

October begins with the Mount Aloysius Invitational on Oct. 3 before Pitt-Greensburg hosts the UPG Fall Classic on Oct. 10. The Bobcats then travel to Gettysburg College for the Aubrey Shenk Invitational on Oct. 17 in their final tune-up before the AMCC Championships. 

The season is scheduled to culminate Nov. 14 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. 

One Block at a Time 

For all the excitement surrounding opening day, Eshleman doesn't want his runners looking too far ahead—or putting too much weight on one race. 

Instead, the Bobcats will approach their season the same way they've approached preseason: gradually, deliberately and with the understanding that every workout and every race is part of something larger. 

"This whole season is being built step by step," Eshleman said. "The first race is important, but it's just the first block until the final one in November." 

For a program entering its "next chapter," the objective isn't simply to see where Pitt-Greensburg stands in September. 

It's to see how far the Bobcats can go by November.